Yeah, I have a lot of pet peeves. What can I say? I'm easily perturbed...
It really "grinds my gears" when people call you on business (i.e. a client or a vendor calling) and, instead of stating their purpose at the beginning of the call, just start talking about whatever it is they're calling about like you're just supposed to know who they are and to what they're referring.
I mean, come on. Do you really think YOU'RE the only person calling me and asking me questions, or that YOURS is the only issue I'm dealing with? No. I have several things on my plate, so I'd appreciate it if, when you call, you state your name, company, and an introduction to your business with me on this phone call rather than just jumping into whatever your issue is as if you're the only person I've spoken to all day.
Thanks.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Over-grooming
I work at a construction company. So you'd think people would be slightly more laid back about their appearance. Just a little bit... But over the 3 years that I've worked here, I've noticed it's just the opposite. I realized this yesterday, as I was in the ladies' room and caught one co-worker in the middle of her post-lunch grooming regimen.
When I walked in, she was brushing her teeth. Not an abnormal activity for many people after lunch, I'll admit. I figured once she was done, that'd be the end of it. No. She then proceeded to lightly freshen her face with some water, then re-apply her makeup. Then she brushed her hair. Then she straightened out her clothes. All this was followed by a light spritz of perfume. You'd think Brad Pitt worked in this office or something, with all the preening she was doing. Meanwhile, I was just trying to take a piss and blow my nose.
But she's not the only one who does this. I've seen several women do the post-lunch grooming... things outside of the normal brushing of teeth. Women will spend several minutes in front of the mirror here. Maybe I just don't get it because I'm such a sweatpants kind of girl... But the whole thing just seemed really unnecessary to me. I mean, you're at work and people have already seen you all day. Who else is left to impress??
When I walked in, she was brushing her teeth. Not an abnormal activity for many people after lunch, I'll admit. I figured once she was done, that'd be the end of it. No. She then proceeded to lightly freshen her face with some water, then re-apply her makeup. Then she brushed her hair. Then she straightened out her clothes. All this was followed by a light spritz of perfume. You'd think Brad Pitt worked in this office or something, with all the preening she was doing. Meanwhile, I was just trying to take a piss and blow my nose.
But she's not the only one who does this. I've seen several women do the post-lunch grooming... things outside of the normal brushing of teeth. Women will spend several minutes in front of the mirror here. Maybe I just don't get it because I'm such a sweatpants kind of girl... But the whole thing just seemed really unnecessary to me. I mean, you're at work and people have already seen you all day. Who else is left to impress??
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Throwdown with Bobby Flay
Okay, so maybe I'm just biased because I'm not a fan of Bobby Flay. The guy annoys me, what can I say? I don't know exactly what it is about him...
Anyway, for those of you who don't watch Food Network like I do, he has this show called "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," wherein he finds people who are really famous in their hometowns for some specific dish and he challenges them to a "throwdown." Basically, he tries to create the same dish, but make it better than theirs. For example, this one woman was really famous in her town for her mac & cheese, so he goes to there and tries to make a better mac & cheese than her. The judges are 3 people, chosen from that town. He gets them on under the guise of putting them on a show on Food Network where they are the featured cook.
Now does this sound wrong to anyone else but me? I mean, here's this famous chef whose name everyone knows... nationally recognized, has several cookbooks, and is an Iron Chef... He finds people who are famous in their hometowns for one big thing. It's THEIR thing... their one claim to fame. First he tricks them into thinking they're going to be honored on Food Network by having their own episode on a show, THEN he proceeds to beat them at their own game and prove that he, a professional chef, is better than they are, a hometown cook. I know he doesn't win EVERY time (though, for the record, I've only seen a few episodes, and he HAS won all of them), but what the hell is he trying to prove???? That he is better than my next door neighbor? Doesn't his being on TV and getting paid big money already prove that? Must he also seek to humiliate regular people?
If you ask me, that's like Michael Johnson coming to my house and challenging me to a foot race. Who do you think will win? All's I know is that, if I'm famous in Rockville, MD for my fried chicken (for example... my fried chicken is good, but I'm not famous for it by any means), and Bobby Flay challenged me to a throwdown, I'd be downright pissed. How dare you attempt to steal my small town thunder?
Shame on you, Bobby Flay. Shame.
Anyway, for those of you who don't watch Food Network like I do, he has this show called "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," wherein he finds people who are really famous in their hometowns for some specific dish and he challenges them to a "throwdown." Basically, he tries to create the same dish, but make it better than theirs. For example, this one woman was really famous in her town for her mac & cheese, so he goes to there and tries to make a better mac & cheese than her. The judges are 3 people, chosen from that town. He gets them on under the guise of putting them on a show on Food Network where they are the featured cook.
Now does this sound wrong to anyone else but me? I mean, here's this famous chef whose name everyone knows... nationally recognized, has several cookbooks, and is an Iron Chef... He finds people who are famous in their hometowns for one big thing. It's THEIR thing... their one claim to fame. First he tricks them into thinking they're going to be honored on Food Network by having their own episode on a show, THEN he proceeds to beat them at their own game and prove that he, a professional chef, is better than they are, a hometown cook. I know he doesn't win EVERY time (though, for the record, I've only seen a few episodes, and he HAS won all of them), but what the hell is he trying to prove???? That he is better than my next door neighbor? Doesn't his being on TV and getting paid big money already prove that? Must he also seek to humiliate regular people?
If you ask me, that's like Michael Johnson coming to my house and challenging me to a foot race. Who do you think will win? All's I know is that, if I'm famous in Rockville, MD for my fried chicken (for example... my fried chicken is good, but I'm not famous for it by any means), and Bobby Flay challenged me to a throwdown, I'd be downright pissed. How dare you attempt to steal my small town thunder?
Shame on you, Bobby Flay. Shame.
All About Lagos... FINALLY!
Yes, I finally found the energy to write this post. Who knows if it will be as long or as detailed as I'd like, because it was one of those trips where I sporadically remember things I want to share with people.
What a whirlwind trip! 2 weeks of constant activity, and time that wasn't spent moving was spent in traffic or sitting fanning myself into a coma.
Yes... it was HOT. Who knew Nigeria would be hot, right? Duh. I'm relatively accustomed to it, because Indonesia is equally hot... but I haven't been to Indonesia in about 10 years. Result? Anywhere between 1-3 nosebleeds a day. No, it's okay. I get nosebleeds chronically. Too bad none of my hosts were fully aware of this. There was a lot of freaking out over the blood gushing from my face. I wasn't panicked by it... only annoyed by it.
I only had 2 main complaints about the trip:
1.) Lagos traffic - I thought New York, DC rush hour, Los Angeles, and Jakarta were bad. Not even close. At one point, Femi and I spent 1.5 hours in traffic only to travel 3-5 blocks. Holy cow.
2.) Getting sick - I woke up one morning with a terrible cough, and it led to a pretty debilitating illness for 3 days. I missed a few parties, and recuperation took some time... But I guess it was my own fault.
Best things about Lagos:
1.) There's always a party going on - You wouldn't think a minor party-er like myself would like this, but it's nice to always have options. My body, however, is not built for that much activity. I am ashamed to say I couldn't really keep up.
2.) Every day brings a new story - Whether it's about getting pulled over by cops or dealing with okada drivers, the latest party or the new Akon album you bought, unless you didn't leave the house all day, there is no such thing as a boring day in Lagos.
3.) You can buy anything on the street - Have you ever seen the skit on Chappelle's Show, where he shows "if the internet were a place?" Well that's what the streets of Lagos are like. Yeah, you're sitting in ridiculous traffic, but while you're sitting there, you can buy ANYTHING. And I mean, ANYTHING. In one 15 minute period, you can be offered CDs, DVDs, socks, towels, paintings, clocks, candy, beverages, fruits, t-shirts, cereal, toy globes, a basketball hoop, cell phone chargers, sunglasses, and cotton swabs... all at a negotiable price. I am fully confident that I could've done all of my Christmas shopping during one drive from point A to point B.
4.) The beach - Once you get away from the city, beaches in the US are incomparable. Even on an overcast day, it's beautiful. We went as a storm was rolling over us, and I found myself frequently mesmerized by the landscape and the sky.
5.) Sodas in glass bottles - A staple in most countries outside of the U.S., I always look forward to having these!
If you're a friend of mine of Facebook, you've likely seen the near 400 pictures I posted of my trip. I hope to go again sometime in the near future, hopefully with a less hectic schedule! Yay Lagos!
What a whirlwind trip! 2 weeks of constant activity, and time that wasn't spent moving was spent in traffic or sitting fanning myself into a coma.
Yes... it was HOT. Who knew Nigeria would be hot, right? Duh. I'm relatively accustomed to it, because Indonesia is equally hot... but I haven't been to Indonesia in about 10 years. Result? Anywhere between 1-3 nosebleeds a day. No, it's okay. I get nosebleeds chronically. Too bad none of my hosts were fully aware of this. There was a lot of freaking out over the blood gushing from my face. I wasn't panicked by it... only annoyed by it.
I only had 2 main complaints about the trip:
1.) Lagos traffic - I thought New York, DC rush hour, Los Angeles, and Jakarta were bad. Not even close. At one point, Femi and I spent 1.5 hours in traffic only to travel 3-5 blocks. Holy cow.
2.) Getting sick - I woke up one morning with a terrible cough, and it led to a pretty debilitating illness for 3 days. I missed a few parties, and recuperation took some time... But I guess it was my own fault.
Best things about Lagos:
1.) There's always a party going on - You wouldn't think a minor party-er like myself would like this, but it's nice to always have options. My body, however, is not built for that much activity. I am ashamed to say I couldn't really keep up.
2.) Every day brings a new story - Whether it's about getting pulled over by cops or dealing with okada drivers, the latest party or the new Akon album you bought, unless you didn't leave the house all day, there is no such thing as a boring day in Lagos.
3.) You can buy anything on the street - Have you ever seen the skit on Chappelle's Show, where he shows "if the internet were a place?" Well that's what the streets of Lagos are like. Yeah, you're sitting in ridiculous traffic, but while you're sitting there, you can buy ANYTHING. And I mean, ANYTHING. In one 15 minute period, you can be offered CDs, DVDs, socks, towels, paintings, clocks, candy, beverages, fruits, t-shirts, cereal, toy globes, a basketball hoop, cell phone chargers, sunglasses, and cotton swabs... all at a negotiable price. I am fully confident that I could've done all of my Christmas shopping during one drive from point A to point B.
4.) The beach - Once you get away from the city, beaches in the US are incomparable. Even on an overcast day, it's beautiful. We went as a storm was rolling over us, and I found myself frequently mesmerized by the landscape and the sky.
5.) Sodas in glass bottles - A staple in most countries outside of the U.S., I always look forward to having these!
If you're a friend of mine of Facebook, you've likely seen the near 400 pictures I posted of my trip. I hope to go again sometime in the near future, hopefully with a less hectic schedule! Yay Lagos!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Guess who's biz-ack...
So I'm back at work after my whirlwind trip to Nigeria. I have returned to 12 voicemail messages and 209 emails. JOY. Being at work today is physically making me want to cry. Thank God we have our Annual Meeting today, so I'm really only at work for a half day. But it still sucks. I'm going to have to get the big can of Red Bull to make it through this afternoon's meeting.
I still don't feel like I'm back. I've forgotten all of my usual routines, and am actually shocked that I remembered how to drive this morning. I spent 2 weeks in Nigeria, having relinquished all control (re: driving, destinations, time limits, etc.), which made me feel totally impotent. Now that I have control back, I have no idea what to do with it. My brain actually feels like mush.
I had a great time, though. Stay tuned for a brief summary of my trip.
I still don't feel like I'm back. I've forgotten all of my usual routines, and am actually shocked that I remembered how to drive this morning. I spent 2 weeks in Nigeria, having relinquished all control (re: driving, destinations, time limits, etc.), which made me feel totally impotent. Now that I have control back, I have no idea what to do with it. My brain actually feels like mush.
I had a great time, though. Stay tuned for a brief summary of my trip.
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